- Do you feel you are passing through broken glass while passing out a stool?
- Are there any blood spots in your stool?
- Do you feel a burning pain which may stay for hours after defecation?
Well, if you nodded at these questions, chances are high that you are having an Anal Fissure.
What is Anal Fissure
An anal fissure is a small cut or a tear in the lining of your anus. This tiny cut causes severe pain and bright red blood during and after passing a stool. The cut or tear is mostly visible around the anus and is often accompanied with a skin tag (a lump of skin) near it.
What are the Causes?
An anal fissure is mostly caused due to Chronic constipation.
However, other causes of an anal fissure include;
- Extremely tight anal sphincter muscles,
- Straining during childbirth,
- Crohn’s disease,
- or any other Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Even though anal fissure is not usually considered a serious condition but if it persists for more than 6 weeks, it is considered chronic. The tear usually heals on its own by making simple lifestyle changes like increasing water and fiber intake.
But if the problem still persists, your doctor might suggest topical pain reliever and stool softeners.
You might need a small surgery if it is a chronic anal fissure with a deeper tear which may also have internal or external fleshy growth. Anal Fissure surgery is the best way to get rid of the anal fissure and to lead a normal life with bloodless and painless stools. Without any further ado, let’s take you through everything you need to know about Anal Fissure Treatment.
What are the Symptoms?
- Sharp pain in the anal during bowel movements is one of the most prominent Anal Fissure symptoms.
- Seeing blood on stool or on the toilet paper on wiping
- A lump of skin next to the tear
- Itching or burning pain in or around the anal
How to Diagnosis:
- Physical examination of the area around the anal
- A rectal exam with an anoscope which is a thin tube-like device inserted into the anus for detailed diagnosis.
- A colonoscopy can also be done if you are older than 50 or have symptoms of colon cancer.
What are the Treatment options?
Home Remedies
Honestly, you must first try certain home remedies and make a few lifestyle changes like:
- Drink more water : Hydrate regularly throughout the day and avoid too many caffeinated drinks. Though caffeine is great for bowel movements, excessive consumption may result in dehydration.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks, they dehydrate your body
- Eat more fibre-rich food items : Doctors recommend eating a lot of fiber every day, around 25 to 30 grams. It helps in promoting healing. Supplements, fruits vegetables, whole grains, etc are great sources of fiber. A sudden intake of fiber can cause problems too, so increase it in the diet gradually.
- Try hot water hip bath : Take Sitz baths (meaning soak in warm water) after bowel movements to relax the spasm.
- Don’t strain too much or sit on the toilet seat for longer. It can further aggravate the condition : Avoid sitting on the toilet for longer than needed. This strain the anal canal. Clean thoroughly and gently after each movement and dry it. Irritants like scented soaps should be avoided.
- Don’t try to control your urge to pass the motion : Constipation usually occurs due to unnecessary stopping of one from going to the bathroom. This restricts bowel movements, possibly resulting in fissures.
- Laxatives: If remedies like fiber aren’t helping take safe laxatives. Consult your doctor before doing so.
Practice the above-mentioned points for 2 weeks. If the symptoms go, you did a great job! But if they still persist, you must immediately see a doctor, preferably an experienced surgeon who will thoroughly diagnose the problem. Here are the MEDICATION options you might be suggested:
Medication
- Nitrate ointment : May be prescribed for getting blood to flow to the anal sphincter
- Calcium channel blockers : Channel blockers help in reducing the blood pressure, though its effects a slower.
- Botox injection : Type ‘A’ Botox may also be used to paralyze the sphincter, hence reducing the pain.
These all have side effects that should be discussed with the doctor. Feeling unbearable discomfort during and seeing blood after bowel movements isn’t a good sign.
Anal Fissure Surgery
Studies have shown that surgery is the most effective treatment for chronic fissure. If you have severe symptoms of the fissure, the surgeon will perform a lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS), simple surgery which pains lesser than the fissure itself. During this surgery, the doctor will cut a small portion of your anal sphincter muscle which eventually reduces the spasm and pain and further promotes healing.
At Mirascare clinic, we are offering best treatment options for anal fissure surgery at very affordable cost. We always recommend to you please visit our center for initial clinical examination.